In the words of the authors (Prihodova et al. 2014): 'Female sex, higher education, higher perceived side effects of corticosteroids, better perceived cardiac and renal function and higher perceived family social support in the first year posttransplantation were associated with full adherence to immunosuppressive treatment.' Alternatively, poor adherence to immunosuppressive therapy led to a higher likelihood of death.

The consequences of this study are that, to help post renal transplantation patients adhere to their life-sustaining immunosuppressive therapy, renal transplant nurses and others involved with these patients can target information education and support at those least likely to adhere.